Easy-going gardening: Low maintenance garden design ideas

With the long-awaited summer months just around the corner, now is the perfect time to get outdoors and enjoy outdoor living. For some of us, that means a much-relished opportunity to roll up your sleeves and get gardening. But what if you’d rather relax in your outdoor space than spend precious time and energy making it beautiful?

If your fingers aren’t the least bit green, don’t worry. Creating an inviting garden space needn’t require hours of work. Not everyone enjoys gardening, but you can still create a lovely outdoor space without the toil.

There are plenty of low maintenance garden ideas that will allow you to achieve an outdoor environment that’s perfect for relaxing, entertaining, playing with the kids and taking a second to escape the chaos of everyday life.

Here are some of our favourite garden ideas that will allow you to create an aesthetically pleasing garden without the maintenance.

What is a low maintenance garden?

A low maintenance garden is basically an outdoor space that requires little work to keep it looking good.

When it comes to creating a low maintenance garden, you should look carefully at the areas that require frequent love, care and attention. These might include lawn areas, flower beds and fast-growing shrubs.

Here’s how to create a low maintenance environment:

Swap beds for shrubs

It is possible to fill your garden with lovely plants that require minimum maintenance.

For example, swapping flower beds and borders for attractive shrubs will save you a lot of time and energy when it comes to seasonal display maintenance. Shrubs such as lavender only need pruning once a year, allowing you to enjoy a treat to the senses without having to worry about keeping your plants in check.

Drought tolerant geraniums and hardy geums also only need to be cut once a year, and boxed plants are easier to maintain and keep on top of.

Swap real grass for artificial grass

Whether you choose to scale back your lawn or swap your grass for the artificial variety, saying goodbye to your lawn is one of the best ways to create a low maintenance space.

After all, all lawns require work, including frequent mowing, feeding and watering. Although greenery can really bring a garden to life, if it is not adequately maintained, it can leave it looking unloved, tired and overgrown.

Luckily, artificial grass is just as good for improving the aesthetic appeal of any outdoor space. Plus, its outstandingly durable, versatile and comes with the peace of mind that it will always look great! It’s also safe for children, easy to maintain, and you won’t have to worry about using fertilisers or pesticides. Want to explore the costs of going artificial? Then read our cost guide on artificial grass.

Create a relaxation area

A great way to make use of your outdoor space is to create a relaxation area. Rather than gardening, you can enjoy chilling with your favourite book while soaking up the sunshine, socialising with family and friends or enjoying a spot of al fresco dining.

Using paving slabs that have been designed to prevent weeds from creeping through the cracks is a great way to create a functional yet stylish outdoor seating space that you can enjoy season to season. Pick out some comfy garden furniture, and you’re ready to socialise and relax in the sun.

Once you’ve thought about the low maintenance garden ideas that will work for your outdoor space, it’s time to start planning the work.

To get the best results, we’d suggest calling in the professionals. Check out our list of checked and vetted landscape gardeners to find someone local to you.